Tap Takeover for a Day at Pailolo Bar & Grill

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On a day celebrating the end of Prohibition, a new local brewery celebrated the beginning of its life in the spotlight.

”It’s our very first public event,” says Ian Elumba, co-owner of Koholā Brewery in Lahaina, which marked National Beer Day with a “Tap Takeover” at Pailolo Bar & Grill, which lasted from morning until night on April 7.

“All eight of our draft lines are now just Koholā Brewery,” explains Matthew Anderson, manager of Pailolo, located at The Westin Kā’anapali Ocean Resort Villas. “We were one of the first people to put one of their beers on draft. We love to support local as much as we can.”

Same goes for the menu, which includes island fish tacos, “The Olympian” Ni‘ihau lamb confit sandwich and local fresh catch with a Kā‘anapali salad. Those were among the food items paired with Koholā brews during the one-day event:

Lani, American Lager – Island Fish Tacos
Lokahi, German Style Pilsner – Why Knot?
Talk Story, American Pale Ale – Hot Honey Sriracha Wings
88 Light American RyePA – Kobayashi Dog
Red Sand, Irish Style Red Ale – The Olympian
Smooth Tide, American Amber – Down Under Half Pounder
Ales Man American Porter – The Marley
Hana Road, American Wheat Beer – Local Fresh Catch on top of a Kā‘anapali Green Salad

“With the Kobayashi dog, the RyePA kinda cuts into the spicy kim chee, so it was a really good pairing,” explains Matt Skaletsky, executive sous chef for The Westin Kā’anapali Ocean Resort Villas.

As far as the food, Skaletsky keeps his menus fresh, crafting them around the timing of local harvests and seasons.

“We really try to find whatever’s fresh first and bring that in, as opposed to making our menu and then trying to find it,” he says.

The food that Pailolo serves comes from a kitchen that’s just a few feet away, in a food truck tailored to the outdoor restaurant; it’s known as the first food truck owned and operated by a Maui hotel.

“We have our first food truck as a restaurant on Kā‘anapali Beach at any hotel that we know of,” Anderson explains. “It’s a new thing for any resort to have a food truck permanently here.”

“It’s a little different for sure, it’s a little less space, but we really can put out a lot more food for our guests than what we had before,” says Skaletsky.

Food is only one part of the experience at Pailolo, which attracts local and visiting sports fans with its Major League sports packages on its television screens.

“We have the NBA package, MLB package, NHL package, MLS soccer package; we show all major league sports here, we also do boxing events as well,” Anderson explains.

Along with a 25% kama’āina discount for residents, free parking and live music three nights a week, Pailolo boasts two happy hours daily. The first one from 4 to 6 p.m. features $2 off draft beers, along with $5 Mai Tais and house wines. The second round, from 8:30 p.m. to closing time (at 10 p.m.), includes the draft beer specials, plus $6 well cocktails.

“Everyone loves to come down and watch sports and enjoy the beautiful view we have right on the ocean, one of the best oceanfront sports bars in Maui,” says Anderson.

“The Olympian” with Ni‘ihau lamb, and Koholā beer sampler. Photo by Kiaora Bohlool.

Koholā’s first public event at Pailolo Bar & Grill. Photo by Kiaora Bohlool.

Matthew Anderson, manager of Pailolo Bar & Grill at The Westin Kā‘anapali Ocean Resort Villas. Photo by Kiaora Bohlool.

“Why Knot” giant pretzel, paired with Lokahi German Style Pilsner for Koholā’s Tap Takeover at Pailolo. Photo by Kiaora Bohlool.

The food truck at Pailolo Bar & Grill. Courtesy photo.

Matt Skaletsky, executive sous chef for The Westin Kā’anapali Ocean Resort Villas. Photo by Kiaora Bohlool.

Hot Honey Sriracha Wings with Koholā beer flight at Pailolo Bar & Grill. Photo by Kiaora Bohlool.

Pailolo Bar & Grill at The Westin Kā‘anapali Ocean Resort Villas. Courtesy photo.

Koholā Brewery’s RyePA Light. Photo by Kiaora Bohlool.

Ian Elumba, co-founder and co-owner of Koholā Brewery in Lāhainā. Photo by Kiaora Bohlool.

Koholā Brewery merchandise available at Pailolo’s Tap Takeover event. Photo by Kiaora Bohlool.

Pailolo Bar at The Westin KOR. Courtesy photo.

Pailolo’s firepit at sunset in Kā‘anapali. Courtesy photo.

Pailolo Bar & Grill won two ‘Aipono awards from Maui Nō Ka ‘Oi Magazine this year:  silver for Best Bar and Best Burger.

Pailolo chefs are even partnering with Koholā beyond the taps. They plan to use the brewery’s spent grain in snacks like pretzel bites.  Although Koholā only took over the bar for one day, some of its beers will remain on draft at Pailolo alongside other companies’  brews.

Koholā beers are available on around 25 taps around the island, from West Maui to the South side and North shore.  See my video on the brewery’s beginnings here.

Brewery founders say they consider craft beer to be an “intellectual beverage” because of the time that goes into choosing quality hops and grains, and the close attention paid to ABV (alcohol by volume) and IBU (international bitterness unit) levels.

“We respect the art of brewing,” Elumba says. “We want people to come by and enjoy our brews and sample our beers and have a great time.”

Koholā Brewery has been open seven days a week since December 22, 2015, located at 910 Honoapil‘ilani Highway in Lahaina.  Get more details on Kohola’s website.